Saturday 28 April 2018 15:01, UK
Rangers manager Graeme Murty has backed understudy goalkeeper Jak Alnwick ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm game.
Gers No 1 Wes Foderingham looks likely to miss the Celtic match with a shoulder injury, meaning Murty will have to play former Port Vale 'keeper Alnwick.
The 24-year-old has yet to experience the passion of the Glasgow derby but Murty has given his public backing to Alnwick ahead of a game that could see Celtic clinch their seventh successive Scottish Premiership title - live on Sky Sports.
"Jak came in against Hearts last week and did himself no harm," said Murty.
"It's a big step in his career progression to go and handle an Old Firm, particularly in the atmosphere we're going to experience this weekend.
"But I'm confident he can handle it. He's a confident character, a very high-quality goalkeeper as far as I can see.
"I'm confident that if he goes to play he will represent himself very well."
Rangers were thrashed 4-0 in their Scottish Cup semi-final against the Hoops two weeks ago but, having found a way to shut-out the champions-elect on his two previous visits to Celtic Park as Gers boss, Murty is hopeful they can give a better account of themselves on this occasion.
Asked if he could take heart from Hibernian's victory over Celtic last weekend, he added: "We have our own ideas on how we want to discomfort Celtic but certainly, I believe we are better on the front foot as a team, being aggressive and high pressing our opponents.
"We need to make sure we get that right and we put a complete performance in.
"Craig Gordon has made some brilliant saves against us at Celtic Park and I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the way that we have played there previously when I've been there.
"The semi-final is the only time we haven't actually laid a glove on them and that still burns me.
"We've got an opportunity now, thankfully, to go and put that right and that's the mindset the players need to have."
Watch Celtic v Rangers on Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 11:30am.
